Florence in Florence County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Dr. Iola Jones Park
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American Legion Stadium
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 15, 2026
1. Dr. Iola Jones Park / American Legion Stadium side of the marker
Dr. Iola Jones Park. In 1973 the City of Florence opened Dr. Iola Jones Park at this site. The 7.5-acre park was built to serve the predominantly Black Northside neighorhood. It was named for civic leader Iola Deas Jones (1892-1978), a former social worker active in a number of causes in supported of local African Americans. Upon opening, the park included a baseball field, basketball courts, playground equipment, and other amenities. It hosted local sports leagues and other community activities.
American Legion Stadium. American Legion Stadium opened at this site in 1941. The 2,500-seat facility was built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) with support from the American Legion and Florence city school system. The lighted, segregated stadium hosted white as well as Black baseball teams at the high school, minor league, and semi-pro levels. National teams from the Negro Leagues also played there. It was also used for concerts and other public events. The stadium burned down in 1970.
Erected 2024 by South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office; sponosored by Francis Marion University and the City of
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports. In addition, it is included in the South Carolina Historical Markers, and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1973.
Location. 34° 12.441′ N, 79° 45.44′ W. Marker is in Florence, South Carolina, in Florence County. It is on East Maxwell Street east of Oakland Avenue (South Carolina Road S-21-24), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 900 Oakland Ave, Florence SC 29506, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South Carolina’s Pee Dee. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 15, 2026
2. American Legion Stadium side of the marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dr. Iola Jones Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Ebony Guest House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Frank Mandeville Rogers Jr. / Florence Tobacco Warehouse Company (approx. 0.6 miles away); Historic Downtown African American Business District (approx. 0.7 miles away); Trinity Baptist Church (approx. 0.8 miles away); Civil Rights Sit-Ins (approx. 0.9 miles away); James Allen (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Lorax: Unless (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 15, 2026
3. Dr. Iola Jones Park / American Legion Stadium Marker
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 15, 2026
4. Dr. Iola Jones Park / American Legion Stadium Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 43 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 19, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
